In biological terms, meiosis is significant for which type of reproduction?

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that is essential for sexual reproduction. This process results in the formation of gametes—sperm and eggs in animals—that are genetically distinct from one another and from the parent organism. During meiosis, a single diploid cell divides to produce four genetically unique haploid cells, each carrying half the number of chromosomes.

This genetic variation is critical for sexual reproduction because it introduces diversity into a population, allowing for evolution and adaptation. When two gametes fuse during fertilization, they create a diploid zygote that has a new combination of genetic material from both parents, contributing to the genetic diversity of offspring.

In contrast, asexual reproduction does not involve meiosis; it typically relies on processes like mitosis, where a single organism can reproduce by creating genetically identical offspring. Because meiosis is fundamental to the production of reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms, it is specifically linked to sexual reproduction.